Have a question?
033 3772 0409

Legal News

Bullied Prisoners Deliberately Self-Harm To Relocate, Report Finds (30 January 2012)

Date: 30/01/2012
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, Bullied Prisoners Deliberately Self-Harm To Relocate, Report Finds

Bullied inmates are deliberately self-harming to attempt to be transferred to other jails, inspectors have cautioned. A report, which focused on Wealstun Prison, West Yorkshire, claimed that prisoners felt unsafe and oftentimes, they were bullied over debts resulting from the use of drugs and tobacco. Nick Hardwick, the chief inspector of prisons, stated that he possessed examples to support the claims that inmates were harming themselves to persuade the authorities to relocate them.

A survey conducted by the prison in February of last year uncovered that around one in four inmates considered bullying to be an issue, with four in five respondents claiming that the most common reason for bullying was drug debts. Three in four also cited tobacco debts as a reason. The inspectors also revealed that many inmates felt unsafe, with one prisoner revealing that drug parcels were constantly being delivered to the jail. Another claimed that Wealstun was amongst the worst jails that had been in for running up drug and alcohol debts. Mr. Hardwick stated that the category C training jail, which is home to 800 prisoners, was “slipping backwards”.

Michael Spurr, the National Offender Management Service’s chief executive, claimed that the Wealstun prison needed to improve across a range of key areas and that the new governor would help to develop a plan of action to address the identified weaknesses.

The prison law solicitors at Duncan Lewis protect the rights of prisoners. They are amongst the largest legal aid franchise firms to specialise in prison law in the UK.

Call us now on 033 3772 0409 or click here to send online enquiry.
Duncan Lewis is the trading name of Duncan Lewis (Solicitors) Limited. Registered Office is Spencer House, 29 Grove Hill Road, Harrow, HA1 3BN. Company Reg. No. 3718422. VAT Reg. No. 718729013. A list of the company's Directors is displayed at the registered offices address. Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority . Offices all across London and in major cities in the UK. ©Duncan Lewis >>Legal Disclaimer, Copyright & Privacy Policy. Duncan Lewis do not accept service by email.